Time, Fuel, & Money

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we slow down and reflect on what happens between the big events. Coming off two interviews at the BIO International Convention and the Paris Air Show, Deborah, Karim, and Vassili ask a simple but often overlooked question: Who are you beyond your pitch?

The conversation centers on character—not just what you’re building, but why you’re building it, and how you show up in the process. From tr...

We’re back live from the Bullpen “Money Ball” showcase at BIO International 2025 in Boston—and this one dives deep into a quiet crisis in drug development.

Our guest, Chandima Bandara, CEO of Precision Quantomics, is tackling one of the industry’s toughest stats: 90% of drugs fail before reaching patients—and half of those due to toxicity. His company is flipping the script by bringing quantitative proteomics into preclinical workfl...

This week, we’re doing things differently.

In this special episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we go live from the Bullpen On Deck “Money Ball” showcase at BIO International 2025 in Boston. This isn't just another startup pitch event—it’s a high-trust, high-intensity prep ground where biotech founders get real coaching, real feedback, and real traction before hitting the investor stage.

The “Money Ball” format ...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we take a hard look at what we call “talent.” Is it innate? Is it earned? Is it wasted when paired with arrogance or fear? Using Formula 1 as a metaphor, we dive into the subtle—and sometimes not so subtle—differences between natural ability, ego, and the grind. Karim kicks off with thoughts on Max Verstappen’s brilliance and blind spots, while Deborah shares observations from business and ...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we pull back the curtain on a question that haunts every founder, investor, and operator in healthcare:

💸 What happens when your mission meets the market—and the market wins?

We explore the emotional weight of watching innovation stall under bloated budgets, misguided incentives, and financial projections that look good on paper but fail in practice. This conversation dives deep into the ten...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we explore a question that quietly drives many of our interactions:

 Are you hunting—or being hunted?

We unpack the subtle pressure to perform, network, and “put yourself out there” in business and life, and how it can pull us away from authenticity. Deborah opens the conversation with reflections on relationship-building in a world driven by optics. Vassili dives into the biology of trust, n...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, & Money, what starts as a light-hearted conversation about donuts in New York quickly spirals into a deeper exploration of corruption, cortisol, fashion, fear—and how we lose ourselves in the pursuit of belonging.

Deborah, Vassili, and Karim unpack how stress culture, ego-driven ambition, and performative success can distort our values and lead us astray. Through references to The Devil Wears Prada...

In this deeply reflective episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, Deborah, Karim, and Vassili unpack the invisible forces that shape how we live, lead, and make meaning—energy, alignment, and attention. Sparked by a quote that resonated with Deb during a morning run, the conversation moves from gratitude to groundedness, from burnout to purpose.

They explore how true well-being goes beyond diet and exercise—it's about the people we s...

This week on Time, Fuel, and Money, we pick up where we left off — talking about humiliation, but this time, we go deeper.

From gym fails in ponchos and nervous startup pitches to mirror neurons, co-regulation, and Eminem’s iconic 8 Mile moment, we explore what happens when we own our imperfections instead of hiding them.

💡 Inside this episode:

• Why self-deprecating humor is actually a self-regulation tool
• How humiliation drives ov...

In this reflective and unfiltered episode, we ask: What if money isn’t the only—or best—currency we’ve got?

We explore how fear of failure, isolation, and even humiliation can shape our ambitions more than we realize. From the shadows of capitalism to the Oklahoma Standard, we ask deeper questions about what truly drives us—and what we’ve lost along the way.

🔹 Is money still the primary measure of success?
🔹 What could a new “u...

Is hustle a badge of honor or a mask we wear? In this episode, we dissect the meaning behind “hustle culture” — from its Dutch roots to its modern-day startup glow-up.

Deb, Vassili, and Karim explore the tension between urgency and awareness, the invisible weight of comparison, and whether hustle is a productive force or a coping mechanism disguised as ambition.

Together, we question:

• Can you be fully present and still hustle?
• Is p...

Have you ever felt like you're sprinting through life but still falling behind?

In this episode, we dive deep into the idea of time debt—the mental, physical, and emotional cost of delaying the act of truly living. Whether it’s chasing productivity, trying to “catch up,” or being stuck in the past, we explore how these habits pull us out of the present and drain our fuel.

💭 We unpack:

• The illusion of control and urgency in h...

What happens when you stop chasing time, energy, and wealth—and start harmonizing them instead?

In this episode, Deborah, Vassili, and Karim reflect on the origin of the podcast’s name and how the concepts of time, fuel, and money have evolved from personal goals into deeper reflections on meaning, intention, and service.

💡 Inspired by ancient Greek philosophy and modern life choices, the hosts explore:

• The di...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, Deborah, Vassili, and Karim explore our modern obsession with speed, success, and self-optimization — and what it may be costing us.

Inspired by the bestselling books Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, the conversation takes a thoughtful turn. Is the 10,000-hour rule still relevant? 

Does fast thinking truly serve us, or does it distract us from deepe...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, hosts Deborah, Vassili, and Karim explore the power of choice, time, and energy—and how these forces shape our personal and professional lives.

Joined by Jeff Seymour, President & CEO of the OKC Innovation District, they dive into The Midnight Library, a concept from Matt Haig’s bestselling book, as a metaphor for infinite possibilities and the ability to reshape our paths at any moment.

...

In this thought-provoking episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, hosts Deborah (Deb), Karim, and Vassili explore the concept of energy debt—how our internal and external energies interact, shape our identities, and influence our decisions. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical discussions, they examine the psychology behind color choices, the perception of light and darkness, and how societal norms shape our understanding of ener...

Is there really a dark side to time, energy, and money? In this episode, Deborah (Deb) Moorad, Vassili Kotlov, and Karim ReFaey explore the concept of dark energy in life and decision-making—the forces that drain us, the illusions of control, and how we unknowingly fuel inefficiency.

🔹 Time – When stress and pressure warp our perception of time. 

🔹 Energy – The hidden cost of negative energy loops and burnout. 

🔹 Money – The fine l...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, and Money, we dive into the mechanics of energy—where we gain it, where we lose it, and how to harness it effectively. From Formula One teams to startup dynamics, we explore the crucial balance between people, technology, and timing. We break down the impact of shared values, investor influence, and the hidden energy within financial decisions. Plus, a trip to Chili’s sparks a fun reflection on authen...

In this episode of Time, Fuel, & Money, hosts Deborah (Deb), Vassili, and Karim explore the intricate connections between time, energy, and money—three forces that shape our daily lives and industries. From neuroscience and decision-making to bioenergetics and fuel systems, and the economic forces driving innovation, they break down complex concepts through engaging real-world analogies. Expect insightful discussions, expert in...